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Title:

"Dedication ceremony for low-income housing project in Watts"

Date:
August 9, 1974

Synopsis

Reporter Carlos Aguilar covers the dedication of a low-income housing project in Watts. The joint project comprised of 64 single family homes had been in the works since the Watts riots in 1965, but due to red tape was not completed until years later. Gerald Ford was to be there in person as the Vice President to dedicate the project, but Richard Nixon had resigned as President and Ford needed to remain in Washington, D.C. for his inauguration. Since he could not appear in person, Ford delivered a dedication message by telephone instead. Footage includes the attendees listening to Ford's message of congratulations, a couple receiving the keys to their new home, an unidentified man speaking at the ceremony, and several different shots of the housing development during the finishing stages of construction. There are also various clips of Aguilar covering the event, including bits where he talks about the possibility that Ford could select a black Vice President.

Note:  The KTLA newsfilm collection at UCLA consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound.